Jockeys Rafael Bejarano and Calvin Borel were thrown from their mounts in a spill during Thursday's third race at Churchill Downs, with Bejarano taken to a Louisville hospital for observation. Bejarano, the leading rider in the Churchill Downs' spring meet and the nation's leader in victories in 2004, was unseated when his mount, Independent Cat, fell while leading the field of eight horses in the homestretch of the third race. Bejarano was taken to Caritas Medical Center as a precaution after the spill and canceled the rest of his scheduled rides. He was examined at the hospital and released later in the afternoon. Borel was unseated when his mount, Jet Angel, attempted to hurdle the fallen horse. Both Borel and his horse escaped injury.
Independent Cat, a 3-year-old daughter of Cat's Career, was leading at the top of the stretch in the 6 ½-furlong claiming contest for 3-year-old fillies when she suffered a fatal fracture to her right front leg and fell, tossing Bejarano to the track. Bejarano rolled after the initial impact and the trailing horses were able to avoid him. Jet Angel continued past the finish line without her rider and was returned to her barn after being captured by the Churchill Downs outriders. (Chart, Equibase)
